A. W. ANDERSON by A. W. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 5, 1913

A. W. ANDERSON

By A. W. Anderson

By an Australian Editor

From many nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, from every continent on the globe, have flocked to the city of Washington representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to confer together upon that theme which is the greatest of all themes because it is the most momentous to mankind,—the preaching of the everlasting gospel to all the world in this generation.

The task is a stupendous one; nevertheless God's people are not deterred by the immensity of the work they have undertaken to do, for they know that the promises of Jehovah never can fail. His plans always mature at the time appointed and in harmony with the predictions of his prophetic word. The Saviour himself has declared that “this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Matt. 24:34. As the preaching of “this gospel of the kingdom” “in all the world for a witness unto all nations” was delineated by the Lord Jesus Christ as a sign of his coming and of the end of the world, and as this sign constitutes one of “these things” which should be fulfilled before “this generation” shall pass away, we may take it as a foregone conclusion that the superhuman task which the denomination has set itself to do will assuredly be accomplished.

The work is truly a stupendous one, but the reports brought to this Conference from heathen, Mohammedan, and Catholic countries show that all things are possible to those who will consent to be used by God in the furtherance and fulfilment of his plans. Already there is abundant evidence that this movement, in spite of overwhelming difficulties, is assuming mighty proportions. Already many wonderful victories have been gained in the very strongholds of Satan. Already “this gospel of the kingdom” has gained a footing in most of the principal centers of population throughout the entire world, and from these centers light is radiating in every direction. These triumphs for the truth are an earnest of the success which will attend this cause in the near future.

In view of all that has yet to be accomplished in order to complete this work, this session of the General Conference is surely a gathering of surpassing importance, for upon the deliberations of this body of Christian believers, assembled together from near and far, hangs the eternal destiny of millions of our fellow men. In China alone there are millions who are dying “having no hope, and without God in the world.” “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?”

Millions who are dying without a knowledge of God make mute but pathetic appeals for light. They are perishing for lack of the knowledge God has given to us. Surely that fact alone should be sufficient to bestir the most indifferent church-member to action. It should be sufficient to convert the most stoical professor of Christianity into a zealous, enthusiastic, and earnest worker for God. It is to be profoundly hoped that one result of this great Conference shall be a determination on the part of all God's people to banish from their hearts all self-satisfaction, all Laodicean lukewarmness, all callous indifference to the claims of God upon them, and to arise as one man and say, “This work shall be done, and done quickly.” If all who profess to love this message would, in the fear of God, in the power of prayer, in the spirit of self-denial, and with daily consecration, yield themselves unreservedly to be used by God wherever and whenever his Spirit shall indicate, the proclamation of the third angel's message would reach every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in a very short time, and the reign of sin and iniquity be brought to a speedy termination.